Healthcare costs

Bellwether states California and New York are considering measures that would have serious national implications for the employer-sponsored insurance system.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is proposing to keep in place the ACA’s protection against higher health-insurance premiums for people with pre-existing conditions when they buy individual coverage.

If the GOP moves forward with it, companies will lose a major incentive to provide benefits and the true problem — reducing costs — will not be addressed, says adviser Craig Hasday.

Advisers can help employers make better decisions by teaching leadership to be smarter consumers, says The Graham Company’s Dan Jordon.

Pratter application is able to identify by ZIP code known charges and claim allowables before services are actually rendered.

If the GOP moves forward with it, companies will lose a major incentive to provide benefits and the true problem — reducing costs — will not be addressed, says adviser Craig Hasday.

Concerns about cost, flexibility and complications often keep employers from offering coverage.

The growing use of HDHPs and CDHPs is further pushing employee engagement in making better healthcare decisions, with an additional increase in wellness program awareness and participation.

The popular procedure can lead employees to pursue unnecessary and costly medical intervention.

Small and midsize businesses covering, on average, 73% of their employees’ costs, new report finds.